Behavioural and physiological responses of captive wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) to regular handling by humans

Hogan, Lindsay A.; Johnston, Stephen D.; Lisle, Allan; Keeley, Tamara; Wong, Phoenix; Nicolson, V.; Horsup, Alan; Janssen, Tina; Phillips, Clive J. C.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2011.07.010

Cited by 39 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…An injection of Synacthen (3 IU/kg) resulted in a rapid rise (5-7 h) of FCM that lasted up to 27 h post-injection, thereby confirming the biological validity of the cortisol assay used. Faecal cortisol analysis is a relatively new technique in marsupials [9,17,20,27] and only two studies have utilized this technique as a means of testing marsupial adrenal responses to environmental stressors. McKenzie and Deane [17] found a significant increase in faecal corticosteroids following isolation and movement in wallabies, whilst Hogan et al [9] discovered elevated FCM in wombats in response to weighing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The observed elevations in FCM in response to HAND stressors were most likely due to the combination of physical exertion, psychological fear associated with capture/restraint and exposure to new stimuli [4,9]. ANIM and HEALTH stressors were the two categories that elicited the highest proportion of stress responses, both over the entire observational period as well as during the breeding season.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More recently attention has turned to the analysis of GC metabolites in the faeces, with this technique having been validated in four marsupials, including the honey possum (Tarsipes rostratus) [20], tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) [17], Gilbert's potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) [27] and southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) [9]. The use of this non-invasive methodology, in combination with behaviour observations, is likely to facilitate a more natural, less confounded measurement of stress physiology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Non-invasive assessment of stress in captive numbats, Myrmecobius fasciatus (Mammalia: Marsupialia), using faecal cortisol measurement

Hogan

Lisle

Johnston

et al. 2012

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Non-invasive assessment of stress in captive numbats, Myrmecobius fasciatus (Mammalia: Marsupialia), using faecal cortisol measurement

Hogan

Lisle

Johnston

et al. 2012

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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“…They are known to suffer from a wasting disease termed koala stress syndrome (Obendorf, 1983). Whilst many captive animals are subjected to captive stress (Wielebnowski, 2003), wombats have been identified to be within a state of 'learned helplessness' in captivity (Hogan et al, 2011). The same may apply to captive koalas.…”

Section: Stress and Systemic Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 86%

Oral health in South East Queensland Koalas: Prevalence of periodontal disease and other pathologies

Pettett¹

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The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is one of Australia's most highly specialised folivores with a diet exclusively of eucalyptus leaves to provide all nutritive needs. For this it is dependent on good dentition for optimal health and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to characterise and describe the level of oral health and disease in koalas and then create tools for ongoing analysis.The historical records over a 17-year period were noted for the koalas admitted to the Moggill Koala Hospital in South East Queensland. Further, in this study the conclusions were that oral health issues when they existed were only being identified as "low key" due to the lack of investigative tools being used during examinations. This provided the reasoning and impetus behind developing tools to determine the true extent of oral health conditions in the koala. A suitable assessment tool for diagnosing the oral health was designed based on the index scoring methodology and the layout of the Moggill Koala Hospital admission chart, a new oral health chart template was developed. The chart was based on examination of 30 "free-range koalas" and validation and quality assurance analysis of four examiners of varying qualifications. The chart was separated into three sections; containing general animal information such as sex, age, and current systemic health; the General Oral Cavity section and containing information on 12 koala-specific health questions and finally a section on the periodontal health. The charting data is multifunctional with analysis of individual koalas, (sex, group or age). The data from each section provided an index value that was compatible with values from other species clinical charting systems.Using the chart, populations of 200 "free-range" and 95 captive koalas (from three zoos) were examined. Three major indexes were developed during the chart development process and used the following equation; General Oral Cavity (GOCI) + Oral Health Index (OHI) = Final Oral Health Index (FOHI). Initially, the three major index values plus all additional information of each chart were analysed to show the current baseline values of oral health conditions in the koala. Any ii comparison based on singular or multiple animals would either show a decline, same rate or increase from the baseline. These baseline parameters could be compared against any other species that uses the same 0-3 index system.The proportion of koalas from the whole population with an orally related problem was 86%.The average FOHI for the koala as a species was 3.78 ± 3.19, median 3.00. This is the mild category and held 84.5% of all cases. The maximum scores for the groups showed Zoo 3 as having lower range (Zoo 1; 11.42 for a TWC 1 male, Zoo 2; 13.40, Zoo 3; 4.13 and "free-range"; 15.98). The third zoo was the only group to have also had significantly better oral health than "free-range" koalas.Captive koalas showed high scoring at young age (11.42), the "free-range" comparable age score was 3.84. At population level when controlli...

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“…Daily fecal samples were collected from 2 to 3 days prior to and 4 to 5 days after injection based on sampling methods described above. This dose and similar daily sampling design was previously used for studies on the southern hairy nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) and in the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) (Dehnhard et al 2001;Hogan et al 2011). Each individual then acted as its own control during a saline challenge that was performed 3 weeks after the ACTH challenge.…”

Section: Fecal Sampling: Captivementioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring physiological stress in semi-free ranging populations of an endangered Australian marsupial, the Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis)

2014

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Rapid and reliable physiological evaluation of stress is necessary for understanding the potential impacts of environmental changes on managed populations of threatened mammals. In situ populations of Australia's iconic marsupial, the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis), are nearing extinction due to the impacts of competition and predation by feral animals and unpredictable climatic events (summer heat waves). In this study, we focussed our aim to identify a non-invasive method to measure adrenal activity in the species and also to identify potential factors that should be considered when comparing physiological stress in semi-free ranging populations of the species. We validated an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for detecting fecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) from fresh fecal pellets taken from bilbies within four captive sites and two semi-free ranging populations around Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Our FCM EIA successfully detected the 'raise and fall' pattern of FCM levels within 3 days of exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge. Mean FCM levels differed significantly between the captive sites and between sexes. All male bilbies grouped outdoor in captivity expressed the highest mean FCM level in comparison to all captive males that were housed individually or as groups indoors. Also, semi-free ranging bilbies expressed higher mean FCM levels than the captive bilbies. Overall, our study successfully validated a non-invasive tool for monitoring physiological stress in the greater bilby. In the future, it will be worthwhile to consider factors such as housing conditions, sex and location when comparing the adrenal sensitivity to environmental changes, to help evaluate the success of management interventions (such as predator free enclosures) and support the survival of the species.

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Behavioural and physiological responses of captive wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) to regular handling by humans

Cited by 39 publications

References 40 publications

Non-invasive assessment of stress in captive numbats, Myrmecobius fasciatus (Mammalia: Marsupialia), using faecal cortisol measurement

Non-invasive assessment of stress in captive numbats, Myrmecobius fasciatus (Mammalia: Marsupialia), using faecal cortisol measurement

Oral health in South East Queensland Koalas: Prevalence of periodontal disease and other pathologies

Monitoring physiological stress in semi-free ranging populations of an endangered Australian marsupial, the Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis)

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